Have you ever passed by an old house and felt a strange chill for no reason? Like something was watching you? I used to think all haunted stories were just movie stuff — until I visited one of these real places myself. What I felt there still gives me goosebumps.
So today, I’m sharing a list of real haunted houses in America that aren’t just scary — they still scare locals to this day. These are not made-up stories. These are real places with real histories… and maybe real ghosts too. 👻
👻 1. The Villisca Axe Murder House – Iowa
When I visited Iowa last summer, a local told me, “If you want nightmares, visit the Villisca house.” I thought he was joking. He wasn’t.
This simple white house looks normal from outside, but in 1912, it became the site of one of the worst unsolved murders in US history. Eight people, including six kids, were killed while they were sleeping. The killer was never caught.
I didn’t go inside (too scared!), but people who did said:
- They heard kids laughing in empty rooms
- Lights flickered on their own
- They felt someone breathing next to them — but no one was there
This place is so creepy it’s listed under “scariest Airbnb in America”. Trust me, I didn’t sleep well that night after just standing near it.
🪦 2. The Winchester Mystery House – California
I saw this place on YouTube first. It was trending under “haunted places in California”, so I had to check it out when I visited San Jose.
This house is massive — like, really massive — with stairs that go nowhere and doors that open into walls. Sarah Winchester, the woman who built it, believed she was cursed by spirits killed by her husband’s rifles. To stay safe, she kept building the house non-stop for 38 years.
Walking through it was like being in a horror maze. I even got lost once (yes, really). I heard a whisper behind me — but no one was there. I almost ran out.
They say it’s one of the most paranormal hotspots in California, and after my experience, I believe it.
🕸️ 3. The Myrtles Plantation – Louisiana
I didn’t get to visit this one in person (yet), but a friend of mine from Louisiana swears it’s one of the most haunted plantations in the USA. She told me about a ghost named Chloe, a slave girl who was hanged after poisoning the family that owned the house.
She said she once saw a shadow of a woman in a green turban standing near the window at night — and when she looked again, it was gone.
Guests have reported:
- Ghost children playing and giggling
- Footsteps upstairs when no one is there
- Cold air hitting them out of nowhere
This place is a must-visit on haunted ghost tours in America, especially during Halloween. Just don’t go alone!
🪞 4. The Whaley House – San Diego, California
Now this one… this one creeped me out even before I stepped inside. I saw a mini doc on TikTok about haunted courtrooms in America, and this popped up. The Whaley House is built on the land where people were actually hanged.
When I visited, I walked into the old courtroom and immediately felt heavy — like the room was full of invisible people staring. A woman next to me said she smelled cigar smoke, even though no one was smoking.
They say the ghost of Thomas Whaley still walks the halls. Some visitors even fainted during tours. It’s definitely on the list of real ghost stories from America — and now part of mine too.
🔥 5. The Lizzie Borden House – Massachusetts
“Lizzie Borden took an axe…” You know the rhyme. I grew up hearing it but never thought I’d visit the actual house where it happened. But last year, I did.
Standing in the same room where her stepmother was killed felt… wrong. I swear, I heard soft creaking sounds from the ceiling — like someone pacing back and forth.
Some creepy things others have reported:
- Heavy footsteps upstairs
- Doors closing on their own
- Feeling like someone’s watching from behind
Now, this place is one of the top haunted house tours in the USA, and honestly, it’s scarier in real life than it looks in videos.
💀 So… Are Ghosts Real?
Look, I used to laugh at ghost stories. But after visiting some of these places myself, I’m not so sure anymore. Every place on this list has something weird — a heavy energy, cold air, strange sounds, or just a feeling you can’t explain.
These places keep showing up in trending searches like:
- creepy haunted houses in the US
- real paranormal experiences
- abandoned homes with dark pasts
People don’t just read about them — they feel them. And so did I.
🧭 Final Thoughts
Haunted houses aren’t just about jump scares. They’re about real history, mystery, and the fear of the unknown. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, these homes carry stories that refuse to die.
I visited some, and I’ll be honest — I won’t go back alone. But if you’re brave, maybe you should try.
📢 Your Turn!
Have you ever visited a haunted place or had a strange experience?
🗨️ Drop your story in the comments — I really want to hear it!
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